Rodgers vs Wenger - A meeting of minds?

Arsene Wenger has always had that intellectual professor aura.

He entered English football with scientific ideas on diet and fitness as well as a clearly-defined football philosophy.

It appeared revolutionary at the time, helped by the fact Arsenal’s Tony Adams and Paul Merson’s game preparation (and warm down, come to think of it) involved regular quests to consume the team’s combined bodyweight in booze. By all accounts, they were rather successful, too.

The game changed and more emphasis was given to ice baths than ice martinis, while players even started doing yoga. Alan Shearer’s pre-game meal of chicken and beans is positively medieval.

There’s a new breed of manager now. Gone is the day when employing the diamond formation was an excessive and risky variation on the flat 4-4-2.

Now ‘get in their faces’, ‘put a foot in’ and ‘get round the back’ has been replaced by talk of ‘false nines’, while essays are written about possession statistics.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers eschewed the virtues of a ‘flipped pyramid’ after his team beat WBA at the weekend. 

This, apparently, wasn’t a rude hand gesture but a reference to the fact he only played one out-and-out holding midfielder.

But Rodgers is very much of the new breed, often resembling that over zealous colleague in your office who ‘sand-boxes’ ideas to find ‘solution opportunities’. The thing is, though, he’s rather good at it. One suspects, Wenger will see a little of himself when the two come head to head on Saturday. 

TOMORROW

All 11am unless stated

Newcastle v Chelsea

9:45am

There are ominous signs for Chelsea’s rivals that Mourinho II at the Bridge is taking shape, particularly if the erratic Fernando Torres can maintain recent form. The Magpies still have a painful derby defeat on their minds.

Prediction: 0-2

Fulham v Man Utd

The knives are out for Martin Jol at Craven Cottage and, in truth, his team need to do better to keep him in a job. If United can’t get a win here, David Moyes will have more tricky questions to answer.

Prediction: 1-3

Hull v Sunderland

Gus Poyet has put the smiles back on the Sunderland fans and players after the win over Newcastle but Hull are a stubborn and a more purposefully put-together outfit.

Prediction: 2-1

Man City v Norwich

Individual errors are costing City and Joe Hart will face a nervous wait to see if he keeps his place after last weekend’s howler against Chelsea. The Canaries can’t seem to buy a goal at the moment. Home banker.

Prediction: 3-0

Stoke v Southampton

Saints were as good last week as Fulham were poor but there’s no denying what an accomplished side the south coast team have become under Mauricio Pochettino. Adam Lallana must be under consideration for the England squad.

Prediction: 1-0

WBA v Crystal Palace

1:30pm

Palace remain under caretaker management as talks continue with the likes of Tony Pulis, Martin O’Neill and Chris Coleman. The Baggies should have too much for them, despite a 4-1 thrashing at Anfield last weekend.

Prediction: 2-0

West Ham v Aston Villa

1:30pm

Three defeats in the past five games has stalled the Hammers somewhat, while Villa are without a win in three. Can someone break their poor run. My money’s on Villa.

Prediction: 0-1

Arsenal v Liverpool

2:30pm

The pick of the weekend as everyone waits to see if Luis Suarez can put one over the team he wanted to join in the summer. Gunners will not need reminding what they missed out on.

Prediction: 1-2

SUNDAY

Everton v Tottenham

10:30am

Two sides showing fine form so far this season. Andre Villas-Boas did, though, have a pop at his own fans for their poor performance. It seemed to do the trick. Spurs have great strength in depth but the Toffees have Lakaku!

Prediction: 1-1

Cardiff v Swansea

1pm

How did this one escape everyone’s attention. The Welsh derby will be fierce — and that’s just in the pubs. Bitter rivals. Should be a battleground out there.

Prediction: 2-1